RAIL VEHICLES FOR URBAN AND UNDERGROUND SERVICE

The paper commences with a brief description of the commuter situation in most great cities of the world today, and gives a little background as to why the situation has arisen. The basic elements of train movement are briefly considered with special reference to urban and suburban traffic, and the salient requirements from this are combined with other electrical, mechanical, and passenger amenity features to form a picture of the general requirements for this type of stock. Next, examples are given of modern stock designed to meet the requirements. The new high-density stock of British Railways is described and reference is made to the London Transport Victoria line stock with particular reference to automatic train operation. Short descriptions are then given of North American practices, followed by a brief review of European developments. For these examples a general similarity in design emerges which very adequately meets the requirements of the commuter problem, and it is suggested by the author that an urban railway system in conjunction with other forms of street transport can provide a suitable overall solution to this modern and increasing problem.

• Supplemental Notes:
  • Proceedings of the Symposium on Rapid Transit Vehicles for City Services 22-23 April 1971. Arranged by the Automobile Division of the Institute of Mechanical Engineers.
• Corporate Authors:

  Institution of Mechanical Engineers

  1 Birdcage Walk
  London SW1H 9JJ,   England 
• Authors:
  • Jowett, W G
• Conference:
  • Institution of Mechanical Engineers Proceedings
• Publication Date: 1970

Media Info

• Features: Figures; References;
• Serial:
  • Volume: 184
  • Issue Number: Pt3S

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Commuter service; Passenger cars; Passenger service; Rapid transit
• Identifier Terms: British Rail; London Transport
• Subject Areas: Passenger Transportation; Railroads; Vehicles and Equipment;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00051947
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: Institution of Mechanical Engineers
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Apr 26 1974 12:00AM